1 Thank you, Speaker Nograles, Senate President Enrile, Senators, 31 its back.

31 its back. It would take twice the effort just to get it back again on its
2 Representatives, Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice 32 feet—to where we are now because we took the responsibility and
3 Puno, Ambassadors, friends: 33 paid the political price of doing the right thing. For standing with me
34 and doing the right thing, thank you, Congress.
4 The past twelve months have been a year for the history books.
5 Financial meltdown in the West spread throughout the world. 35 The strong, bitter and unpopular revenue measures of the past few
Tens of millions lost their jobs; billions across the globe have been hurt 36 years have spared our country the worst of the global financial
6
37 shocks. They gave us the resources to stimulate the economy.
7 —the poor always harder than the rich. No one was spared..
38 Nabigyan nila ang pinakamalaking pagtaas ng IRA ng mga LGU na
8 It has affected us already. But the story of the Philippines in 2008 is that 39 P40 billion itong taon, imparting strength throughout the country and
9 the country weathered a succession of global crises in fuel, in food, then 40 at every level of government.
10 in finance and finally the economy in a global recession, never losing
41 Compared to the past, we have built more and better infrastructure,
11 focus and with economic fundamentals intact.
42 including those started by others but left unfinished. The Subic-
12 A few days ago, Moody’s has just announced the upgrade of our credit 43 Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a prime example of building better roads.
13 rating, citing the resilience of our economy. The state of our nation is a 44 It creates wealth as the flagship of the Subic-Clark corridor.
14 strong economy. Good news for our people, bad news for our critics.
45 We have built airports of international standard, upgraded domestic
15 I did not become President to be popular. To work, to lead, to protect 46 airports, built seaports and the RORO system. I ask Congress for a
16 and preserve our country, our people, that is why I became President. 47 Philippine Transport Security Authority Law..
17 When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want
48 Some say that after this SONA, it will be all politics. Sorry, but
18 our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years.
49 there’s more work..
19 Towards that vision, we made key reforms. Our economic plan centers
50 Sa telecommunications naman, inatasan ko ang Telecommunications
20 on putting people first. Higit sa lahat ang layunin ng ating mga
51 Commission na kumilos na tungkol sa mga sumbong na dropped
21 patakaran ay tulungan ang masipag na karaniwang Pilipino. New tax
revenues were put in place to help pay for better healthcare, more roads, 52 calls at mga nawawalang load sa cellphone. We need to amend the
22
a strong education system. Housing policies were designed to lift up our 53 Commonwealth-era Public Service Law. And we need to do it now..
23
24 poorest citizens so they can live and raise a family with dignity. Ang 54 Kung noong nakaraan, lumakas ang electronics, today we are
25 ating mga puhunan sa agrikultura ay naglalayong kilalanin ang ating 55 creating wealth by developing the BPO and tourism sectors as
26 mga magsasaka bilang backbone ng ating bansa, at bigyan sila ng mga 56 additional engines of growth. Electronics and other manufactured
27 modernong kagamitan to feed our nation and feed their own family.. 57 exports rise and fall in accordance with the state of the world
58 economy. But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of $6 billion and
28 Had we listened to the critics of those policies, had we not braced
59 employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of
29 ourselves for the crisis that came, had we taken the easy road much
60 our competitiveness and productivity. Let us have a Department of
30 preferred by politicians eyeing elections, this country would be flat on
61 ICT..
62 In the last four years tourism almost doubled. It is now a $5 billion 92 Our average inflation is the lowest since 1966. Last June, it dropped
63 industry. 93 to 1.5%. Paano nakamit ito? Proper policies lowered interest rates,
94 which lowered costs to business and consumers.
64 Our reforms gave us the resources to protect our people, our financial
65 system and our economy from the worst of shocks that the best in the 95 Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating ibenta ang bigas NFA sa
66 west failed to anticipate.. 96 P18.25 per kilo kahit tumaas ang presyo sa labas mula P17.50
97 hanggang P30 dahil sa kakulangan ng supply sa mundo. Habang, sa
67 They gave us the resources to do reforms para palawakin ang suportang
98 unang pagkakataon, naitaas ang pamimili ng palay sa mga
68 panlipunan and enhance spending power. For helping me raise salaries
99 magsasaka, P17 mula sa P11.
69 through joint resolution, thank you Congress.
100 Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating mamuhunan sa pagkain—
70 Cash handouts give the most immediate relief and produce the widest
101 anticipating an unexpected global food crisis. Nakagawa tayo ng
71 stimulating effect. Nakikinabang ang 700,000 na pinakamahihirap na
102 libu-libong kilometro ng farm-to-market roads at kasama ng
72 pamilya sa programang Pantawid Pamilya.
103 pribadong sector, natubigan ang dalawang milyong ektarya. Mga
73 Our preference is to invest in projects with the same stimulus effects but 104 Badjao gaya ni Tarnati Dannawi ay tinuruan ng modernong
74 also with long-term contributions to national progress.. 105 mariculture. Umabot na sa P180,000 ang kinita niya mula noong
75 Sa pagpapamahagi ng milyun-milyong ektaryang lupa, 700,000 na 106 nakaraang taon. Congratulations, Tarnati. We will help more
76 katutubo at mahigit isang milyong benepisyaryo ng CARP ay taas- 107 fisherfolk shift to fish farming with a budget of P1 billion.
77 noong may-ari na ng sariling lupa. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na ipasa 108 Dahi dumarami na naman daw ang pamilyang nagugutom,
78 agad ang pagpapalawig ng CARP, at dapat ma-condone ang P42 billion 109 mamumuhunan tayo ng bago sa Hunger Mitgation program na
79 na land reform liabilities dahil 18% lamang ang nabayaran mula 1972. 110 nakitang mabisa. Tulungan nito ako dito Kongreso.
80 Napapanahon dahil it will unfreeze the rural property market. Ang
mahal kong ama ang nag-emancipate ng mga magsasaka. Ii-mancipate 111 Mula noong 2001, Nanawagan tayo ng mas murang gamot.
81
112 Nagbebenta na tayo ng mga gamot na kalahating presyo sa libu-
82 naman natin ngayon ang titulo..
113 libong Botika ng Bayan at Botika ng Barangay sa maraming dako ng
83 Nakinabang ang pitong milyong entrepreneurs sa P165 billion na 114 bansa. Our efforts prodded the pharmaceutical companies to come up
84 microfinance. Nakinabang ang 1,000 sa economic resiliency plan. 115 with low-cost generics and brands like RiteMed. I supported the
85 Kasama natin ngayon ang isa sa kanila, si Gigi Gabiola. Dating 116 tough version of the House of the Cheaper Medicine Law. I
86 household service worker sa Dubai, ngayon siya ay nagtatrabaho sa 117 supported it over the weak version of my critics. The result: the drug
87 DOLE. Good luck, Gigi. 118 companies volunteered to bring down drug prices, slashing by half
88 Nakinabang ang isang milyong pamilya sa programang pabahay at 119 the prices of 16 drugs. Thank you, Congressman Cua, Alvarez, Biron
89 palupa, mula sa PAG-IBIG, NHA, community mortgage program, 120 and Locsin..
90 certificates of lot awards, at saka yung inyong Loan Condonation and 121 Pursuant to law, I am placing other drugs under a maximum retail
91 Restructuring Act.. 122 price. To those who want to be President, this advice: If you want
123 something done, do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Just do it. Don't 153 To that end, we improved our banking system to complement its
124 say bad words in public. 154 inherent conservatism. The Bangko Sentral has been prudent. Thank
155 you, Governor Tetangco, for being so effective. The BSP will be even
125 Sa health insurance, sakop na ang 86% ng ating populasyon.
156 more effective if Congress will amend its Charter..
126 Sa Rent Control Law ng 2005 hanggang 2008, hanggang sampung
157 We worked on the Special Purpose Vehicle Act, reducing non-
127 porsyento lang maaaring itaas taon-taon ang upa. Iyong kakapirma
158 performing loans from 18% to 4% and improving loan-deposit
128 nating batas naglagay ng isang taong moratorium, tapos pitong
159 ratios..
129 porsyento lang ang maaaring itaas. Salamat, Kongreso..
Noong isang taon, nabiyayaan ng tig-P500 ang mahigit pitong milyong 160 Our new Securitization Law did not encourage the recklessness that
130
161 brought down giant banks and insurance companies elsewhere and
131 tahanan bilang Katas ng Pantawid Koryente para sa mga small
162 laid their economies to waste. In fact, it monitors and regulates the
132 electricity users..
Iyong power rates, ang EPIRA natin ang pangmatagalang sagot. EPIRA 163 new-fangled financial schemes. Thank you, Congress..
133
134 dismantled monopoly. But minana natin iyong power purchase 164 We will work to increase tax effort through improved collections and
135 agreements under preceding administrations, so hindi pa natin makuha 165 new sin taxes to further our capacity to reduce poverty and pursue
136 iyong buong intended effect. Pero happy na rin tayo, dahil isang taon na 166 growth. Revenue enhancement must come from the Department of
137 lamang iyan. The next generation will benefit from low prices from our 167 Finance plugging leaks and catching tax and customs cheats. I call on
138 EPIRA. Thank you. 168 tax-paying citizens and tax-paying businesses: help the BIR and
169 Customs spot those cheats…
139 Samantala, umabot na sa halos lahat ng barangay ang elektrisidad. We
140 increased indigenous energy from 48% to 58%. Nakatipid tayo sa 170 Taxes should come from alcohol and tobacco and not from books.
141 dollars tapos malaki pa ang na-reduce pa iyong oil consumption. The 171 Tax hazards to lungs and livers, do not tax minds. Ang kita mula sa
142 huge reduction in fossil fuel is the biggest proof of energy independence 172 buwis sa alak at sigarilyo ay dapat pumunta sa kalusugan at
143 and environmental responsibility. Further reduction will come with the 173 edukasyon. Sa kalusugan, pondohan ang Philhealth premiums ng
144 implementation of the Renewable Energy Act.and the Biofuels 174 pinakamahihirap. Ponhodhan ang mas maraming classroom at
145 Act..again, thank you. 175 computers...
146 The next generation will also benefit from our lower public debt to GDP 176 Pardon my partiality for the teaching profession. I was a teacher..
147 ratio. It declined from 78% in 2000 to 55% in 2008. We cut in half the 177 Kaya namuhunan tayo ng malaki sa edukasyon at skills training..
148 debt of government corporations from 15% to 7. Likewise foreign debt
149 from 73% to 32%. Kung meron man tayong malaking kaaway na tinalo, 178 Ang magandang edukasyon ay susi sa mas mabuting buhay, the great
150 walang iba kundi ang utang, iyong foreign debt. Past administrations 179 equalizer that allows every young Filipino a chance to realize their
151 conjured the demon of foreign debt. We exorcised it.. 180 dreams.
152 The market grows economies. A free market, not a free-for-all. 181 Nagtayo tayo ng 95,000 na silid-aralan, nagdagdag ng 60,000 na
182 guro, naglaan ng P1.5 billion para sa teacher training, especially for
183 100,000 English teachers. Isa sa pinakamahirap na Millennium 212 For college admission, the Task Force recommends mandatory
184 Development Goals ay iyong Edukasyon para sa Lahat pagdating ng 213 Scholastic Aptitude Tests. It also recommends that private higher
185 2015, na nangunguhulugang lahat ng nasa edad ay nasa grade school. 214 education institutions and state universities and colleges should be
186 Halos walang bansang nakakatupad nito. Ngunit nagsisikap tayo. 215 harmonized. It also recommends that CHED will oversee of local
187 Binaba natin ang gastos ng pagpasok. Nagtayo tayo ng mga eskwela sa 216 universities and colleges. For professions seeking international
188 higit isang libong barangay na dati walang eskwelahan, upang 217 recognition—engineering, architecture, accountancy, pharmacy and
189 makatipid ng gastos ng pasahe ang mga bata. Tinanggal natin ang 218 physical therapy—it recommends radical reform: 10 years of basic
190 miscellaneous fees para sa primary school. 219 education, two years of pre-university, three years of university.
191 Hindi na kailangan ang uniporme sa mga estudyante sa public schools. 220 Our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for
221 whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever
192 We assist financially half of all students in private high schools..
222 economic challenge life will throw in their way..
193 We have provided 600,000 college and post-graduate scholarships. One
of them Mylene Amerol-Macumbal, finished Accounting at MSU-IIT, 223 Sa hirap at ginhawa, ang ating overseas Filipinos ay pinapatatag ang
194
224 ating bansa. Iyong padala nilang $16 billion noong isang taon ay
195 went to law school, and placed second in the last bar exams--the first
225 record. Itong taon, mas mataas pa..
196 Muslim woman bar topnotcher. Congratulations.
In technical education and skills training, we have invested three times 226 I know that this is not a sacrifice joyfully borne. This is work where
197
227 it can be found—in faraway places, among strangers with different
198 that of three previous administrations combined. Narito si Jennifer
228 cultures. It is lonely work, it is very hard work..
199 Silbor, isa sa sampung milyong trainee. Natuto siya ng medical
200 transcription. Now, as an independent contractor and lecturer for 229 Kaya nagsisikap tayong lumikha ng mga trabahong maganda ang
201 transcriptions in Davao, kumikita siya ng P18,000 bawat buwan. Good 230 bayad dito sa atin so that overseas work will just be a career choice,
202 job. 231 not the only option for a hardworking Filipino in search of a better
232 life.
203 The Presidential Task Force on Education headed by Jesuit educator
204 Father Bienvenido Nebres has come out with the Main Education 233 Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile. Dapat
205 Highway towards a Knowledge-Based Economy. It envisions seamless 234 gumawa tayo ng mga mas malakas na paraan upang proteksyonan at
206 education from basic to vocational school or college.. 235 palawak ang halaga ng kanilang pinagsikapang sweldo. That means
It seeks to mainstream early childhood development in basic education. 236 stronger consumer protection for OFWs investing in property and
207
Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years we 237 products back home. Para sa kanila, pinapakilos natin ang Investors
208
238 Protection Task Force.
209 must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the
210 right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and 239 Hindi ako nag-aatubiling bisitahin ang ating taong bayan at ang
211 inquiring mind—and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job.. 240 kanilang mga hosts sa buong mundo – mula Hapon.hanggang Brazil,
241 mula Europa at Middle East hanggang sa American Midwest,
242 nakikinig sa kanilang mga problema at pangangailangan, inaalam
243 kung paano matulungan sila n gating pamahalaan—-by working out 272 High on our agenda will be peace and security issues. Terrorism: how
244 better policies on migrant labor, or by saving lives and restoring liberty. 273 to meet it, how to end it, how to address its roots in injustice and
Pagpunta ko sa Saudi, pinatawad ni Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang 274 prejudice—and most and always how to protect lives.
245
246 OFW na nasa preso. Pinuno nila ang isang buong eroplano at umuwi 275 We will also discuss nuclear non-proliferation. The Philippines will
247 kasama ko. 276 chair the review of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation Treaty in
277 New York in May 2010. The success of the talks will be a major
248 Mula sa ating State Visit to Spain, it has become our biggest European
278 diplomatic achievement for us.
249 donor. At si Haring Juan Carlos ay nakikipag-usap sa ibang mga bansa
250 para sa ating mga namomoblemang OFW. Ganoon di si Sheikh Khalifa, 279 There is a range of other issues we will discuss, including the global
251 ang Prime Minister ng Bahrain. 280 challenge of climate change, especially the threat to countries with
281 long coastlines. And there is the global recession, its worse impact on
252 Pagpunta ko sa Kuwait, Emir al-Sabah commuted death sentences.
282 poor people, and the options that can spare them from the worst.
253 We thank all the world leaders who have shown compassion to our
283 In 2008 up to the first quarter of 2009 we stood among only a few
254 OFWs, Maraming salamat po.
284 economies in Asia-Pacific that did not shrink. Compare this in 2001,
255 Our vigorous international engagement has helped bring in foreign 285 when some of my current critics were driven out by people power,
256 investment. Net foreign direct investments multiplied 15 times during 286 Asia was then surging but our country was on the brink of
257 our administration. 287 bankruptcy.
258 Our vigorous international engagement has helped bring in foreign 288 Since then, our economy has posted uninterrupted growth for 33
259 investment. Net foreign direct investments multiplied 15 times during 289 quarters; more than doubled its size from $76 billion to $186 billion.
260 our administration. Kasama ng ating mga OFWs, they more than 290 The average GDP growth from 2001 to the first quarter of 2009 is the
261 doubled our foreign exchange reserves. Pinalakas ang ating piso at 291 highest in 43 years.
262 naiwasan ang lubhang pagtaas ng presyo. They upgraded our credit
because while the reserves of our peers shrunk our reserves grew by $3 292 Bumaba ang bilang ng nagsasabing mahihirap sila, mula 59% sa
263
293 47%. Kahit na lumaki ang ating populasyon, nabawasan ng dalawang
264 billion.
294 milyon ang bilang ng mahihirap. GNP per capita rose from a Third
265 Our international engagement has also corrected historical injustice. 295 World $967 to $2,051. Lumikha tayo ng walong milyong trabaho, an
266 The day we visited Washington, Senator Daniel Inouye successfully 296 average of a million per year, much, much more than at any other
267 sponsored benefits for our veterans as part of America’s fiscal stimulus 297 time.
268 package.
298 In sum:
269 I have accepted the invitation of President Obama to be the first
299 1. We have a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand
270 Southeast Asian leader to meet him at the White House, this week.
300 political shocks.
271 That he sought us the Philippines testifies to our strong and deep ties. 301 2. We built new modern infrastructure and completed unfinished
302 ones. 332 We inherited an age-old conflict in Mindanao, exacerbated by a
303 3. The economy is more fair to the poor than ever before. 333 politically popular but near-sighted policy of massive retaliation. This
304 4. We are building a sound base for the next generation. 334 only provoked the other side to continue the war.
305 5. International authorities have taken notice that we are safer from 335 In these two internal conflicts, ang tanong ay hindi, “Sino ang
306 environmental degradation and man-made disasters. 336 mananalo?” kundi, bakit ba kailangang mag-away ang kapwa
307 As a country in the path of typhoons and in the Pacific Rim of Fire, we 337 Pilipino tungkol sa mga isyu na alam ng dalawang panig over issues
308 must be as prepared as the latest technology permits to anticipate 338 na malulutas naman sa paraang demokratiko.
309 natural calamities when that is possible; to extend immediate and 339 There is nothing more that I would wish for than peace in Mindanao.
310 effective relief when it is not….The mapping of flood- and landslide- 340 It will be a blessing for all its people, Muslim, Christian and lumads.
311 prone areas is almost complete. Early warning, forecasting and 341 It will show other religiously divided communities that there can be
312 monitoring systems have been improved, with weather tracking 342 common ground on which to live together in peace, harmony and
313 facilities in Subic, Tagaytay, Mactan, Mindanao, Pampanga. 343 cooperation that respects each other’s religious beliefs.
314 We have worked on flood control infrastructure like those for Pinatubo, 344 At sa lahat ng dako ng bansa, kailangan nating protektahan an gating
315 Agno, Laoag, and Abucay, which will pump the run off waters from 345 mamamayan kontra sa krimen -- in their homes, in their
316 Quezon City and Tondo flooding Sampaloc. This will help relieve 346 neighborhoods, in their communities. How shall crime be fought?
317 hundreds of hectares in this old city of its age-old woe. 347 Through the five pillars of justice. We call on Congress to fund more
318 Patuloy naman iyong sa Camanava, dagdag sa Pinatubo, Iloilo, Pasig- 348 policemen on the streets.
319 Marikina, Bicol River Basin, at mga river basin ng Mindanao. 349 Real government is about looking beyond the vested to the national
320 The victims of typhoon Frank in Panay should receive their long- 350 interest, setting up the necessary conditions to enable the next, more
321 overdue assistance package. I ask Congress to pass the SNITS Law. 351 enabled and more empowered generation to achieve a country as
352 prosperous, a people as content, as ours deserve to be.
322 Namana natin ang pinakamatagal ng rebelyon ng Komunista sa buong
323 mundo. 353 The noisiest critics of constitutional reform tirelessly and shamelessly
Si Leah de la Cruz isa sa labindalawang libong rebel returnee. Sixteen 354 attempted Cha-Cha when they thought they could take advantage of a
324
pa lang siya nang sumali sa NPA. Naging kasapi sa regional White Area 355 shift in the form of government. Now that they feel they cannot
325
356 benefit from it, they oppose it.
326 Committee, napromote sa Leyte Party Committee Secretary. Nahuli
327 noong 2006. She is now involved in an LGU-supported handicraft 357 As the process of fundamental political reform begins, let us address
328 livelihood training of former rebels. We love you, Leah! 358 the highest exercise of democracy.voting!
329 There is now a good prospect for peace talks both with both the 359 In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it,
330 Communist Party of the Philippines and the MILF, with whom we are 360 thanks to Congress.
331 now on ceasefire.
361 At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from 390 There isn’t a day I do not work at my job or a waking moment when I
362 the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will 391 do not think through a work-related problem. Even my critics cannot
363 fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to 392 begrudge the long hours I put in. Our people deserve-a-government
364 do as head of state—to the very last day. 393 that works just as hard as they do.
365 A year is a long time. Patuloy ang pamumuhunan sa tinatawag na three 394 A President must be on the job 24/7, ready for any contingency, any
366 E’s ng ekonomiya, environment at edukasyon. There are many perils 395 crisis, anywhere, anytime.
367 that we must still guard against. 396 Everything right can be undone by even a single wrong. Every step
368 A man-made calamity is already upon us, global in scale. As I said 397 forward must be taken in the teeth of political pressures and
369 earlier, so far we have been spared its worst effects but we cannot be 398 economic constraints that could push you two steps back-if-you
370 complacent. We only know that we have generated more resources on 399 flinch and falter. I have not flinched, I have not faltered. Hindi ako
371 which to draw, and thereby created options we could take. Thank God 400 umaatras sa hamon.
372 we did not let our critics stop us. 401 And I have never done any of the things that have scared my worst
373 As the campaign unfolds and the candidates take to the airwaves, I ask 402 critics so much. They are frightened by their own shadows.
374 them to talk more about how they will build up the nation rather than 403 In the face of attempted coups, I issued emergency proclamations just
375 tear down their opponents. Our candidates must understand the 404 in case. But I was able to resolve these military crises with the
376 complexities of our government and what it takes to move the country 405 ordinary powers of my office. My critics call it dictatorship. I call it
377 forward. Give the electorate real choices and not just sweet talk. 406 determination. We know it as strong government.
378 Meanwhile, I will keep a steady hand on the tiller, keeping the ship of 407 But I never declared martial law, though they are running scared as if
379 state away from the shallows some prefer, and steering it straight on the 408 I did. In truth, what they are really afraid of is their weakness in the
380 course I set in 2001. 409 face of this self-imagined threat.
381 Ang ating taong bayan ay masipag at maka-Diyos. These qualities are 410 I say to them: do not tell us what we all know, that democracy can be
382 epitomized in someone like Manny Pacquiao.Manny trained tirelessly, 411 threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked.
383 by the book, with iron discipline, with the certain knowledge that he
384 had to fight himself, his weaknesses first, before he could beat his 412 I know what to do.
385 opponent. That was the way to clinch his victories and his ultimate title: 413 I know what to do, as I have shown, I will defend democracy with
386 ang pinakadakilang boksingero sa kasaysayan.Mabuhay ka, Manny! 414 arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is
387 However much a President wishes it, a national problem cannot be 415 weakened by division; with law and order where it is subverted by
388 knocked out with a single punch. A president must work with the 416 anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of
389 problem as much as against it, and turn it into a solution if I can. 417 economic progress, so that a democracy means not just an empty
418 liberty but a full life for all.
419 I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of 447 We must come together, work together and walk together toward the
420 those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts. 448 future.
421 I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left 449 Bagamat malaking hamon ang nasa ating harapan, nasa kamay natin
422 me the problem of their misgovernance to solve. And we did it. 450 ang malaking kakayahan. Halina’t pagtulungan nating tiyakin ang
451 karapat-dapat na kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan.
423 I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my office for personal
424 profit. Many of those who accuse me of it have lifestyles and spending 452 And to the people of our good country, for allowing me to serve as
425 habits that make them walking proofs of that crime. 453 your President, maraming salamat.
426 We can read their frustrations. They had the chance to serve this good 454 Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
427 country and they blew it by serving themselves. 455
428 Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should
429 be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there.
430 Our administration, with the highest average rate of growth, recording
431 multiple increases in investments, with the largest job creation in
432 history, and which gets a credit upgrade at the height of a world
433 recession, must be doing something right, even if some of those
434 cocooned in corporate privilege refuse to recognize it.
435 Governance, however, is not about looking back and getting even. It is
436 about looking forward and giving more—to the people who gave us the
437 greatest, hardest gift of all: the care of a country.
438 From Bonifacio at Balintawak to Cory Aquino at EDSA and up to
439 today, we have struggled to bring power to the people, and this country
440 to the eminence it deserves.
441 Today the Philippines is weathering well the storm that is raging around
442 the world. It is growing stronger with the challenge. When the weather
443 clears, as it will, there is no telling how much farther forward it can go.
444 Believe in it. I believe.
445 We can and we must-march-forward-with-hope, optimism and
446 determination.